The St. Mary's County Public Schools Board of Education convened on September 24, 2025, to discuss the ongoing redistricting process and community engagement efforts related to facility utilization and school boundaries. The meeting featured updates from co-chairs Mr. Watson and Mrs. Howe, who outlined the initial phases of the redistricting initiative, which officially commenced with community forums scheduled for September 25 and 26.

Mr. Watson emphasized that the redistricting process is in its early stages, with no proposed plans or analyses yet available. The Cannon Design team has been engaged to assist with data analysis, focusing on enrollment figures, building capacities, and usage. The community forums are designed as guided activities rather than public comment sessions, aiming to gather input from participants about their priorities and concerns regarding school facilities.

The first community forum attracted significant interest, with nearly 200 participants registered, prompting the addition of a second session. Both forums will facilitate discussions around guiding principles for education in the community. Following these events, a survey will be launched to collect further feedback from the community, which will remain open until October 6.

Looking ahead, the board plans to hold additional community forums in November, where potential options for redistricting will be presented based on the data collected and community input. The process is designed to be transparent, with updates provided at each board meeting and opportunities for public comment during a scheduled hearing in January 2026.

The board reiterated its commitment to engaging the community throughout this process, encouraging participation in forums and surveys to ensure that all voices are heard. Information regarding the redistricting process is available on the St. Mary's County Public Schools website, which serves as the primary source for updates and resources related to the initiative.